GET THE FACTS ON POT

Re: Examining ecstasy, Dec. 31.

We've already benefited greatly from medical research into pain management.
Ask anyone who has had a tooth pulled while on Valium how great you can
feel during what would otherwise be an extremely painful ordeal.

The root of the opposition to medicinal marijuana is that it's an attempt
to legitimize a substance simply because "it makes you feel good." We must
not confuse what makes us feel good with what is good for us.

In fact, there is a thorough process in place for the research and
development of pharmaceuticals to ensure they are safe, effective and, of
course, that there's a scientific basis for using them.

There may be components of marijuana that have medicinal benefit (minus the
tar and 100 other chemicals present in smoke). Only scientific research
will find out. Let's allow the medicinal development process to work and
help those in need.

Fred Scaffidi,

Ottawa